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Home My WebLink AboutNA2010_02_11_incompleteBLAISDALE M O N TESSO RIBLAISDALE MONTESSORI SCHOOL 12 months - grade 8Blaisdale.com 905-509-5005 OPEN HOUSE Thurs. April 30, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m. 56 Old Kingston Rd., Pickering Village, Ajax Rougemount Campus 365 Kingston Rd., Pickering Thurs. Feb. 18, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m. 905-686-9607 Visit our website www.lifestyleproducts.ca Quality Products, Built for Life! SUNROOMS • WINDOWS PORCH ENCLOSURES • DOORS 239 Station St., Ajax Pressrun 51,400 • 20 pages • Optional 3-week delivery $6/$1 newsstand PICKERING Th ursday, February 11, 2010 NNews ews AAddveverr titisseerrTHE RYAN PFEIFFER / METROLAND PICKERING -- Eight-year-old Alex Thorne started a monthly web show called ‘The Alex Project.’ During the show, Alex reviews books and games, interviews people and gives his opinion. Pickering kid’s a ‘webisode’ wiz EIGHT-YEAR-OLD’S WEB-BASED SHOW GAINING IN POPULARITY BY KRISTEN CALIS kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING -- Alex Thorne enjoys playing video games, reading books, watching televi- sion, playing with his little brother and most subjects in school, especially math. But the eight-year-old third grader has anoth- er extracurricular activity on the go: a web show. “It is very fun,” he said. “I get to show kids what I think is fun and other kids can try differ- ent things.” The Alex Project came to life when Alex want- ed to do something similar to a television show he enjoys, iCarly. “They had a web show and I thought that would be a fun idea so I started a web show,” he said. The first episode aired in November. The Alex Project is geared toward kids and is based on everything kids love: games, books, movies, comedy, crafts. It’s centered around the thoughts and advice of an eight-year-old boy, basically a Pickering kid’s take on the world. See MAKING page 10 NEWS 2 Program for newcomers Ajax, Pickering celebrates rich diversity HEALTH 4 Gala gives to hospital Portable ultrasound offers more to patients OLYMPICS 13 Let Games begin! Durham athletes set to represent Canada Passages to Canada to help dismantle racism BY KRISTEN CALIS kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING -- Shashi Bhatia attributes her happy journey in Canada to a willingness to reach out to the community, and encourages other newcomers to do the same. The chairwoman of the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham shared her story of being a newcomer at the launch of the expansion of the Passages to Canada Dismantling Racism program into Ajax and Pickering. The program, a project of the His- torica-Dominion Institute, a national charity, was celebrated at the Pickering Recreation Complex. Through the charity’s Passages to Canada Speaker’s Bureau, a diverse group of more than 600 immigrants and refu- gees share their stories free of charge with students and com- munity groups to provide a great- er understanding of the contributions newcomers make to Canada. “So far it’s worked out very well,” said Jer- emy Diamond, managing director of the national office. The charity is looking to attract more speakers to help explain how it feels to leave a homeland and arrive in a new place, encoun- ter racism and misunderstanding, and learn a new language. Newcomers of all walks of life are invited to speak in the program. “They can be nurses, doctors and bus driv- ers,” Mr. Diamond said. Ms. Bhatia was living in a well-to-do fam- ily in India when her parents arranged her marriage to a man living in Canada. The move was a transition for Ms. Bha- tia, now a proud Canadi- an, at first. “My privileged and sheltered youth had not prepared me for the cul- ture shock I was about to face,” she said. She landed in Canada in mid-sum- mer of 1973 in a heavy winter coat, expecting igloos. Instead, she saw roads, traffic lights -- and no igloos in sight. She recalled taking the bus to go to the mall, and feared being lost when the bus driver went right by her stop. When he noticed her distress, he asked if she was new to Canada and taught her how to request a stop. His small gesture stuck with her. “His kind- ness is a good example of the sort of experi- ences that soon made me feel more at home in my new land,” she said. She quickly started helping newcomers get adjusted to their new Canadian life and now encourages others to do the same. Ajax and Pickering were chosen as ideal locations for the program because of their diverse communities. Pleased the launch took place in Pickering, Mayor Dave Ryan described multicultural- ism as the tapestry of Canada, which is held together by different threads woven together. Those interested can request a speaker, or sign up to become one, on the Passages to Canada website. For more information: VISIT www.passagestocanada.com durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20102 AP Port Perry , ON 905-985-4888 • 1-888-29-heron www.greatblueheroncasino.com 545 slots • 60 Table Games Valid government issued photo identifi cation is required. Must be 19 years of age or older. License # 10 Baagwating Community Association We have a winner. It may be cold outside but it was hot inside the Great Blue Heron Casino, as Vanessa F. from Oshawa became the casinos’ latest Megabucks jackpot winner. Vanessa hit the Megabucks jackpot at the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino on February 8th, winning $2.5 million. Megabucks progressive prize slot machines are linked to all casino sites in the province of Ontario. This is the sixth time the Megabucks jackpot has been won at the Great Blue Heron Casino. To date, the Great Blue Heron has given away Megabucks jackpots totaling over $15 million. “It’s like a dream, $20 can make you a millionaire”’ said the thrilled winner. “I plan on taking my family to Italy – that’s where my parents are from”. Vanessa also went on to say “When I visit the Great Blue Heron I rarely play slots, I usually play the tables”. “It is always a thrill when someone wins big at the Great Blue Heron, but when the amounts are life altering, the atmosphere throughout the building becomes simply electrifying. Our staff takes great pride in being part of such a positive experience in a person’s life and we want to wish Vanessa all our best”, said Great Blue Heron General Manager Arnold Block. The Great Blue Heron Charity Casino opened on January 31st, 1997 and since opening has attracted over 14 million visitors. The Great Blue Heron Charity Casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and features 545 slot machines and 60 table games. The facility is located just east of Port Perry less than one hour Northeast of Metropolitan Toronto, and an easy 30-40 minute drive from Markham, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Peterborough and Lindsay. $2.5 Million Winner at Great Blue Heron Casino BREAK•AWAY GROUP OF COMPANIES ANNOUNCEMENT Konica Minolta is pleased to announce that effective immediately Break-Away Technologies Inc. is now a part of the Konica Minolta family of Dealers. “We are happy to say that Break-Away Technologies has signed on to the Konica Minolta team becoming a full line sales and service dealer serving all of Durham region” states, David Morrow, National Vice President – Sales. Since 1996, The Break-Away Group of Companies have successfully supported businesses in Durham Region with advanced photocopying, printing, facsimile, scanning and document workflow solutions. “We are very excited to add the Full Konica Minolta line of Product & Services to our existing reseller offering,” says Break-Away President, Lou Kiriakou. “This addition to our line-up makes us a one-stop shop for all your business needs in Durham allowing us to create custom solutions meeting all of our customer’s requirements.” Please contact Lou Kiriakou at 905-839-7199 ext 221 for a free consultation. Sincerely, David Morrow National Vice President – Sales Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd. MULTICULTURALISM Program helps newcomers adjust to life in Pickering KRISTEN CALIS / METROLAND PICKERING -- Chutney dancer Selena Naraine performs for guests at the Pickering Recreation Complex Feb. 1 to help launch the Passages to Canada Dismantling Racism program. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20103 AP Rafael Jewellery 15 WESTNEY RD. N., AJAX IN WESTNEY HEIGHTS PLAZA BESIDE ROGERS (HWY 2 & WESTNEY) 905-426-4700 • www.RafaelJewellery.com Give Her theto Your Heart 50%Off Laser Hair Removal Botox • Peels • Photo Facials Rosacea and Problem Skin We Clear Acne Results In 24-48 Hours Reduces Oil & Pore Size Drain & Flatten Blemishes Pixel fraxel resurfacing for scars and wrinkles 905426-2565Open 6 Days Evenings & Weekends FREE Consults thefacialplace.com WALTER PASSARELLA PHOTO Green thumbs at ‘Seedy’ event PICKERING -- Kyla Dixon-Muir was one of the guest speakers at Seedy Saturday at the East Shore Community Centre on Saturday, Feb. 6. The event was also a seed swap and a cafe for plant and flower enthusiasts. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20104 AP 75 BAYLY ST WEST • AJAX IN THE BAYWOOD CENTRE • NO FRILLS PLAZA • JUST WEST OF HARWOOD PHONE: 905-428-1711 • FAX: 905-428-2341 • MON. - FRI.: 9AM - 9PM; SAT.: 9AM - 6PM; SUN.: 10AM - 5PM WE WANT TO BE YOUR DRUG STORE!WHILE QUANTITIES LAST! THURS., THURS., FEB. 11TH FEB. 11TH THROUGH THROUGH THURS., THURS.,FEB. 25THFEB. 25THONLY!!!! HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM SATURDAY 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM • SUNDAY 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM TEL: 905-428-1711 FAX: 905-428-0863 SWISS ONE 50 ADVIL EXTRA STRENGTH 72’s TOILET TISSUE Royale, Charmin, Majesta, Cashmere Single 16’s, Double 8’s ASPIRIN DAILY LOW DOSE 81ml reg. $2299 ONLY $1279 Limit 2 FACIAL TISSUE reg. $129 Limit 6 ONLY ¢79 BUTLER TOOTHBRUSH Q TIPS 500 + BONUS reg. $649 ONLY $299 Limit 3 reg. $1839 ONLY $999 Limit 2 180’s REACH TOOTHBRUSH reg. $599 ONLY $199 LEVER 2000 BONUS PACK BODYWASH & 8 BARS SOAP reg. $989 ONLY $299Limit 3 ONLY ¢99 $1299 EVERYDAY Limit 2 reg. $899 ONLY $449 72 CAPLETS JAMIESON CALCIUMMAGNESIUM 200’s or VITAMIN D3 240’s Limit 2 ONLY $599 reg. up to $1149 MULTI VITAMIN Royale Scotties Portable ultrasound machine to offer more comfort to patients BY KRISTEN CALIS kcalis@durhamregion.com AJAX -- It was all smiles at the Ajax- Pickering hospital last week when Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan presented a brand new machine that will make work for staff less stressful and patients more comfortable. The portable ultrasound machine, with a price tag of $46,000, was donat- ed from funds raised at the 5th Annual Mayor’s Gala. The machine was donat- ed specifically to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital’s 11-bed combined intensive care and critical care units, an area identified as a key priority by physi- cians. Tracy Paterson, the Rouge Valley foun- dation’s vice president of development, spoke on behalf of staff when she said the machine will be a very useful tool. “It’s something that the departments have wanted for quite a while,” she said. The machine will be used for vascular access in the insertion of central lines, a tube that is inserted into a large vein in the chest to get drugs into the blood- stream. The non-invasive machine basi- cally sends supersonic waves into the body to help hospital staff locate the proper areas for insertions. “By using this equipment, things can be done in a safer way,” said Dr. George Philteos, the hospital’s chief intensive care physician. It also allows for quick and rapid assessment, he added, when many times the patients being rushed into the unit needs treatment right away. “There’s no time to wait,” the doc- tor said. “It has to be done quickly and sometimes in a rush.” The old process was done blindly, often requiring multiple attempts before the insertion was made correctly, he said. “It’s not the most comfortable pro- cess,” he said. Dr. Philteos said the money from the Mayor’s Gala is much appreciated since hospitals are undergoing tight fiscal restraints, which can often make it dif- ficult to keep up with the latest technol- ogy. The 5th Annual Mayor’s Gala was held in November and raised more than $110,000. The money is being divid- ed between the hospital, the St. Paul’s- on-the-Hill Community Food Bank and the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham. The annual event has raised more than $500,000 since its inception. Mayor Ryan said he’s glad the gala continues to attract big sponsors each year to help address the key needs in the community. “It feels great,” he said. “Really won- derful. The Ajax-Pickering hospital is an integral part of our community.” HEALTH CARE Pickering mayor gives hospital latest technology RYAN PFEIFFER / METROLAND AJAX -- Chief Intensivist Dr. George Philteos demonstrated a new portable ultra- sound machine on Tracy Paterson, patient and vice president of development, at the Rouge Valley Health System Friday morning, Feb. 5. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20105 Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Senior Consultant (905) 831-0034 1-866-476-1535 ANDREW SHAW andrew.shaw@investorsgroup.com www.herongate.com For Reservations, Information or Gift Certiﬁ cates 905-472-3085 HERONGATE DINNER THEATRE CLIP AND SAVE ANY SHOW TILL FEB 21/10 BY KATHLEEN CLARK 2885 Altona Rd., Pickering SERCETS OF A SOCCER MOM 10.00$PER COUPLE WITH COUPONIT’S A HIT! LET US ENTERTAIN YOU! OFF AP AJAX -- Ajax kids are invited to get into the Olym- pic spirit. Ajax Library Services is holding Go for the Gold! activities from Feb. 12 to 28. Kids aged six to 12 can pick up an Olympic Triv- ia/Athlete Match booklet at local libraries and com- plete the activities inside to enter to win prizes. All entries must be submitted by Feb. 28. There will also be a Gold Coin Count contest at all branch where kids can “guess how many” to win. Parents are reminded the Ajax Walking! Pedometer Challenge is still on and they can join in the fun and add their family’s walking steps towards Ajax’s ‘trek’ to Vancouver in time for the Winter 2010 Olympics official ceremonies on Feb. 12. Pedometer kits are available for borrowing at all branches. For more information about the above programs: CALL 905-683-4000 ext. 8811 EMAIL libraryinfo@townofajax.com VANCOUVER 2010 Ajax libraries to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games AJAX-PICKERING NEWS ADVERTISER 905 68 3 5110 e-mail letters to newsroom@durhamregion.com / max. 200 words / letter writers are obliged to back up statements with verifiable facts / please include your full first and last name, city of residence & daytime phone number / letters that do not appear in print may be published @ newsdurhamregion.com WE THINK... email responses to newsroom@durhamregion.com & A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Duncan Fletcher - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classiﬁ ed Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Ofﬁ ce Manager Janice O’Neil, Cheryl Haines - Composing Managers News/Sales 905-683-5110 Fax 905-683-7363 Classiﬁ eds 905-683-0707 Distribution 905-683-5117 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5. Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 40052657 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, SNA. All content copyright Editorial Opinions durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20106 P Durham athletes set to soar at Vancouver Olympics If you stop for just a second and take it all in, chances are you’ll catch it. Olympic fever, that is. With the 2010 Vancouver Games now just a day away from officially kicking off, there’s a palpable excitement in the air, as Canada gets ready to host what is certain to be our best Olympics yet. It’s a slam-dunk that Canada will final- ly win its first-ever gold medal on home soil, a feat that embarrassingly eluded the country in both 1988 in Calgary and 1976 in Montreal. But, prognosticators are suggesting much more than that. In fact, with a third-place medal show- ing in Turin four years ago and the success of the Own the Podium program, it’s not a stretch to suggest Canada could win more gold medals, and medals period, than any of the other 199 countries taking part in the Games. Better yet, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in these parts, with three Dur- ham Region residents taking part in the Olympics, two of them representing Cana- da, and one a strong medal contender. Matt Morison, a 22-year-old Burketon resident who cut his teeth snowboard- ing with the Oshawa Ski Club, enters the Games recovering from a broken elbow, but expects to be back at full strength in time for his parallel giant slalom races on Feb. 27. Hopefully little rust has gathered since his accident, which came just before Christmas, and Morison can pick up where he left off from his lone World Cup event this season, a gold medal effort in Colora- do. Last year, Morison had nine World Cup podium finishes, including three wins, and a bronze at the world championships. Pickering’s Shelley-Ann Brown, mean- while, was just recently announced as the brakeman for pilot Helen Upperton in the women’s bobsleigh. Brown, too, could easily bring home a medal to show off to the community, as Upperton’s team is ranked fifth in the world heading into the Games. Whitby’s Natalie Babony will have a tough time winning a medal, even though hockey is her sport of choice. Babony, whose par- ents hail from Slovakia, has dual citizen- ship and will play for the European coun- try, which ironically has drawn Canada for its opening game Saturday. Once the Olympics are done, the Para- lympics will take centre stage, where another local, Jeremy Booker of Ajax, will play for the Canadian sledge hockey team. Having already won a gold with the team in Italy four years ago, when he was just 19, Booker also figures to be medal-bound. So, all in all, there’s plenty of reason to cheer, both locally and nationally. Let the Games begin. REVENUES Ajax should not share casino cash To the editor: Re: ‘Durham wants cut of casino cash’, Jan. 25. I disagree that Ajax should share the rev- enues from the casino with the other Dur- ham municipalities. As Mayor Steve Parish said, we do not have a nuclear plant or GM to support our community and we do not receive their taxes. We can use this reve- nue to support our town and deserve it just as other communities deserve what they already have. Kathleen Novak-Zwaigenbaum Ajax POLITICS Prorogation letter prompts disagreement To the editor: Re: Bernie MacDonald letter “Prorogation a way to combat Liberal legislation,” Feb. 1. The choice of words is very apt, as it sums up what I feel is wrong with the present government; they seem to be more con- cerned with making war with the oppo- sition than to actually make an effort and work together with them. Whatever happened to the contrite Ste- phen Harper who, after failing to win a majority in the last election, promised to work more closely with the opposition in the future? Didn’t happen, did it? I also disagree with the statement that Canada over the last three years was better off under the present government. I take it that you were not one of the many thou- sands who had their jobs eliminated dur- ing this period. As for the Liberals not being upfront; do you really believe that the proroguing of Parliament was about re-calibrating and not about trying to sweep dissent under the carpet and avoiding embarrassing questions in Parliament? Terry Kennedy Ajax Prorogation does not mean MP holiday To the editor: Re: ‘Excuses don’t work on prorogation’, Tony Sloggett letter, Jan. 29. Reader Tony Sloggett is operating under a misconception that proroguing Parliament means a three-month holiday for our federal MPs. I recently attended the first of many cross- Canada town hall meetings that MP Jim Fla- herty conducted in his role of finance minis- ter. I observed him listening to many Canadi- ans express their concerns about our econo- my and financial issues that face all Canadi- ans. This was part of collecting information to assist him in building the next federal budget, which should be a major issue to all Canadi- ans. I attended this meeting on the very night Mr. Flaherty’s home church, All Saints Angli- can, was destroyed by fire. Even during a very difficult time in his personal life, Mr. Flaherty was working hard for Canadians on behalf of the Harper government. I don’t call that a holiday; I call that dedication, something that deserves our respect and support. Nancy Connolly-Hendriks Ajax Answer prorogation at election time To the editor: Re: ‘MPs not representing us’, Nancy and Richard Addington letter, Feb 4. I read with great interest this letter. I do make opposition to the letter in that Stephen Harper is indeed the elected prime minister of this country. As much as I do not like most of the things that the Conservative govern- ment does, it is in power right now and we should respect them as it is. I do not like the prorogation of Parliament but what can we do at this time? The governor general has a lot to do with this and her office should be an elected one. Most of the people of this coun- try could not foresee the prorogation of Par- liament so what can we do other than to vote the Conservatives out and the Liberals back in with a majority? Ron Horner Oshawa durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20107 AP Fight over courthouse searches continues BY JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@durhamregion.com OSHAWA -- A judge has called for an out-of-court resolution to the dispute between Durham police and local defence lawyers over security measures at the region’s new courthouse. And Superior Court Justice Michael Brown ruled that, for now, an interim injunction exempting lawyers from searches at the courthouse, on Bond Street in down- town Oshawa, will remain in effect. “I think it’s in the public interest to see if you can resolve this without a judge’s order,” Justice Brown told lawyers for both sides Wednesday morning. “I encourage you all to keep talking to see if you can resolve this.” Justice Brown adjourned the case -- no return date was set -- to allow Durham police to retain outside counsel. Durham police lawyer Visha Sukdeo had requested the matter be held over until late March. Defence lawyers are objecting to being searched as they pass through front-door security at the new court- house. Prior to the Bond Street building’s opening Monday, lawyers were exempted from any searches at all, providing they could produce valid Law Society ID. But Durham police want everyone -- members of the public, lawyers and even cops arriving at the court- house to testify at trials -- to be subjected to searches that include x-ray images of bags and metal detector scans. Crown attorneys and employees of the Attorney General’s ministry are exempted. The police contend the policy will enhance public safety; the lawyers argue it’s unnecessary surveillance that could endanger solic- itor-client privilege if documents or files are viewed by security officers. The matter blew up Monday morning, the first day of proceedings at the new courthouse, when defence lawyers staged a two-hour boycott, refusing to enter the building. Later that day, Justice Brown issued an order that lawyers with valid Law Society ID would be exempted from searches until the dispute is resolved. Wednesday he extended that injunction, over the objection of Durham police. Ms. Sukdeo suggested a sort of compromise: Durham lawyers would not be searched, but counsel from outside the jurisdiction would be, she said. Robert Zochodne, the civil lawyer representing the legal community, rejected that suggestion. “The position is arbitrary,” he told the judge, adding there would be “no harm” in extending the injunction until the matter is resolved. Justice Brown agreed, saying “fairness and consisten- cy” would be achieved by extending the injunction. It’s a sweet deal! Sticky and sweet– your very own Valentine treat! 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Gift Includes: One Minibon Roll Retail Value: $2.69 Thursday, February 11th to Sunday, February 14th COURTS Judge urges lawyers, police to settle dispute SABRINA BYRNES / METROLAND OSHAWA -- Lawyers stood outside of the new Durham Region courthouse on Feb. 8, protesting the fact they would be searched upon entering the courthouse by Durham Regional Police. AJAX -- Ajax is putting a call out to local shutterbugs interested in starting an amateur photography club. The Town is hosting a meeting for the photographers on Feb. 16 at the Ajax Community Centre’s adminis- tration board room on the second floor, 75 Centennial Rd., at 6 p.m. The Town is looking for photographers who would like to share common interests and participate in events such as workshops, competitions, social events and more. For more information: CALL 905-619-2529 ext. 7232 EMAIL sharlene.melnike@townofajax.com COMMUNITY Ajax shutterbugs wanted durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20108 AP ADDISON SONS&INSURANCE BROKERS All drivers insured, regardless of your record Young/Old Drivers, DUI’S, Tickets, No Problem. Call for a free quote 905.781.0149 THURSDAY, FEBRUARAY 11, 2010 Ajax & Pickering Locations Flyers in Today’s Paper If you did not receive your News Advertiser/fl yers OR you are interested in a paper route call Circulation at 905-683-5117. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6:30 Sat. 9 - 1:00 Your Carrier will be around to collect an optional delivery charge of $6.00 every three weeks. Carrier of The Week Remember, all inserts, including those on glossy paper, can be recycled with the rest of your newspaper through your blue box Recycling program. SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY View Flyers/Coupons At * Delivered to selected households only Today’s carrier of the week is Kristina. Kristina enjoys dance and art. Kristina has received a dinner voucher from Boston Pizza as well as Subway and McDonalds. Congratulations Kristina for being our Carrier of the Week. 8 Salem Rd South Ajax, ON L1S 7T7 *BASKIN ROBBINS AJAX PICKERING *BED & BATH DIRECT AJAX PICKERING *BEST BUY AJAX PICKERING *CANADIAN TIRE AJAX PICKERING *CANNINGTON DOG SLED RACES AJAX PICKERING *FOOD BASICS AJAX PICKERING *FUTURE SHOP AJAX PICKERING *GIANT TIGER AJAX *HOME OUTFITTERS AJAX PICKERING *LOBLAWS PICKERING *LONGO’S PICKERING *METRO AJAX PICKERING *NO FRILLS AJAX PICKERING *PRICE CHOPPER AJAX PICKERING *REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE AJAX PICKERING *SOBEY’S AJAX PICKERING *THE BAY AJAX PICKERING *THE SOURCE BY CIRCUIT CITY AJAX PICKERING *TOYS R US AJAX PICKERING *WALMART AJAX PICKERING *YOUR INDEPENDENT GROCER PICKERING *ZELLERS AJAX PICKERING *MODEL HOMES AJAX PICKEING 279 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax 260 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax (in Home Depot) 1105 Kingston Rd. Pickering (in Home Depot) 255 Salem Rd. S. D#1 42 Old Kingston Rd., Ajax 465 Bayly St. W. #5, Ajax 1889 Brock Rd., Pickering 300 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax 6 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax Teachers vote yes, barely, 300 more will decide it BY CRYSTAL CRIMI ccrimi@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- The college school year remains in flux for students with a vote by professors, counsellors and librarians on a final offer from management being declared too close to call. The Feb. 10 college-initiated ratification vote saw 51% vote for, with a margin of only 210 votes in favour a new three-year con- tract that provides a 1.75-per cent increase in its first year, two per cent for each of the last two, as well as some other improve- ments. However, there are some 300 votes being mailed in and those results may not be known for up to 10 days leaving the vote up in the air. The group of staff represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU) voted even though its union refused to be the one to bring it to them for ratification. Doing so would have meant the OPSEU approved of the contract when it felt it wasn’t the best course of action for its members, said Debbie Rautins, president of OPSEU local 354 at Durham College in an earlier interview. The offer presented was the maximum management could give, said Ken Robb, Durham College’s vice-president of human resources in an earlier interview. Management’s offer would bring salaries to a $58,946 minimum and $102,186 maxi- mum by the end of the contract’s term, while the union’s proposal would have bumped it a bit higher to $59,965 and $103,951. As of September 2008, the minimum salary for those affected was $55,683 and the maxi- mum $96,529. According to the OPSEU, issues of conten- tion are workload and academic freedom. The OPSEU represents more than 9,000 full-time college employees, including about 300 from Durham College. At a Jan. 13 strike vote, 56 per cent of Dur- ham College staff affected voted yes to a strike, a similar outcome to the 57 per cent received provincially. In 2008, college support staff had a strike mandate of 67 per cent and reached a deal at the last minute. In 2006, the teachers had an 80.4 per cent strike mandate and went on to a three-week strike, which was resolved through arbitra- tion. LABOUR College teacher strike vote in limbo Please give with your HEART! Cash donations can be made at the GUEST SERVICES or donate on-line at www.heartsforhaitians.com HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF Over 200 Stores & Services H&M Gap La Senza Sirens ROOTS Zellers American Eagle Outfitters Urban Behavior Sears Holly’s Aéropostale La Vie en Rose Ricki’s Suzy Shier boathouse Nygård Dynamite Reitman’s Payless ShoeSource Costa Blanca Tabi TRISTAN the Bay Bluenotes’Fairweather Garage Clothing Co.pickeringtowncentre.com FREE Fashion Bag with minimum $5 Cash Donation One per customer, while quantities last. Offer expires on February 12th, 2010. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 20109 AP BY BRAD KELLY bkelly@durhamregion.com Don Nelson doesn’t pull any punches about the success he had in the ring as an amateur, but not as a pro. As an amateur, he amassed an impressive record of 65- 13, winning a provincial championship in his home province of Nova Scotia. But as a pro, he won just one of three fights. “Whenever I talk to people, I tell them I’m a better trainer then I ever was a fighter,” he laughs. After moving to this area in search of work, he began boxing again with the Ajax Boxing Club, moved into the coaching side, then opened the Motor City Boxing Club in Oshawa in 1993. He has acquired a great deal of knowledge about coaching, and took time out to share his thoughts and philosophies. What are the most important qualities of a coach? Nelson: A coach has to understand the stresses that are involved in the sport of boxing. Boxing’s not like any other sport in that the fight isn’t just the time in the fight. If you know you have a fight, it starts weeks beforehand, the mental stress that plays on the boxer and people don’t real- ize that. People just think you walk up and have a fight. I try to get people to envision success. I always say don’t envi- sion success coming easily. What qualities do you look for in a boxer to determine if they are going to have success? Nelson: I’ve been fooled more times then not with that. A lot of times you will get a kid who comes in and you think this guy is going to be something special. You work with them and they start off that way. I’ve had kids come in and they go, go, go, go and I’ve brought them up through the novices, eight, nine, ten fights undefeated. In the eleventh fight go into the open class, lose, and all of a sudden there’s a change in the guy. Twelfth fight lose, I never see him again. Other people come in, lose their first three fights and go on to be national champions. You can’t always tell right off the hop. The biggest things I look for if they can understand the value of learning the basics. Everybody wants to throw hooks and uppercuts and fancy combina- tions and they want to get in and spar. You have to show me you can move around on your feet, you can throw a straight jab and straight right hand. You do those things, then we’ll start teaching you the other stuff. What do you do to bring out the best in your boxers? Nelson: I’m not a coach who likes to yell and scream at people. That’s not my coaching style. I will definitely praise a boxer if they start accomplishing things we are working on. And when they do it, give them lots of praise. Any fighter who comes back to the corner, if I said they won, they won. Because I’m always harder on my own fighter than any judge would be. I try to get them to set one goal, achieve it, then set another goal. How do you determine when to push or pull back in training? Nelson: A lot depends on the athlete and getting to know them psychologically, what works for them. I’m learn- ing every year. I think I’m becoming a better coach with time. I look back four years ago and I think of all the things I did, the mistakes I was making compared to now. So everything is always revolving. What do you hope your boxers learn from a win and a loss? Nelson: That when they win, they show gratitude toward the coach, to teammates and everyone else around. They don’t say ‘I won.’ They thank everyone for helping them win. When they lose, they don’t blame anybody. The say, ‘I lost.’ It’s taking ownership of that. The ones who end up not being winners are the ones who are, ‘I won and you made me lose’ because they didn’t have the right training or right coaching, or they need this or that. The fighters who realize everything is here, they just have to do the work in order to make them win, those fighters are rare, special. You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to be the owner of your success and not the owner of your defeats. Have you changed your style over the years? Nelson: Yeah, for sure. I still have my old nickname. The other coaches who were here used to call me The Sarge because of my coaching style in the gym. I’ve heard complaints, boxers saying, ‘You know, I was a member of that club for two years and Don Nelson never even said hi to me once. He would just walk in and do his coaching stuff.’ I felt like a coach’s job is to teach athletes a sport and be strict and push them through the drills. I didn’t get very much on the person- al level. It was more the introduction to the female athletes. Angie Collins was here. She was the first one who actually sat down and talked to me. She told me, ‘You know Don, sometimes I would just like you to ask me what’s going on at home or how things are.’ I was like, ‘I’m just here to teach you how to box. I don’t want to get involved in your personal life.’ She goes, ‘People like that. They want to know about that stuff.’ As a coach, you’re definitely not a father. You’re kind of like a brother or maybe more like a cousin. It’s like your family but you can still be objective enough to be a good coach to say things and tell it like it is with the fighters. But they are definitely like an extended family. You have to take an interest in their personal life, but you can’t get involved with it. Don Nelson SABRINA BYRNES / METROLAND OSHAWA -- Don Nelson is the head coach of the Motor City Boxing Club based in Oshawa. WANT TO KNOW? • How Don Nelson defines success. • Who influenced his coaching philosophy. • What motivates him to keep coaching. For the complete story visit us online at: newsdurhamregion.com/sports Editor’s note: This is the third in a 12-part coaching series. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 201010 P Ask Katherine Send your waste related letters, questions, or comments to waste@durham.ca Waste Management, Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby ON L1N 6A3 www.durhamregionwaste.ca I do my own automobile servicing, where can I take used oil and oil ﬁ lters, used antifreeze and their containers? Used oil ﬁ lters, used oil containers of 50 litres or less, left over automotive antifreeze and containers are all household hazardous waste (HHW). It is important to know that when it comes time to dispose of these left- over or unwanted materials, special care is needed. The companies that make and market these items are now working with municipalities and leading retailers to enhance recovery of potentially hazardous wastes by making the process much more convenient. Dowhatyoucan.ca is a website speciﬁ cally designed to help you deal with your waste responsibly. You can search for the nearest location to drop off your HHW by municipality, postal code or material. Not only are you provided with the closest Regional waste management facility but also a list of local retailers taking back HHW materials within a 5, 10 or 25 kilometre radius of your home. Residents in other areas can dispose of diapers in their Green bin. Are there future plans to include diapers in the Region’s Green Bin program? Diapers are not permitted in the Region’s Green Bin program because they contaminate the ﬁ nished compost. Disposable diapers are typically comprised of the following materials: Wood pulp: 65-70 per cent Plastics: 20-25 per cent Super absorbent polymers: 5-10 per cent While disposable diapers contain a compostable material (wood pulp), it is the plastic content that poses the greatest problem in the composting process. Diapers are generally tightly wrapped up when disposed. When they enter a composting facility they are either too large to pass through the screens and end up in landﬁ ll, or they have to be shredded at the beginning of the process. When material is shredded in the beginning of the process, there is a risk of shredding some other contaminants, such as plastic. Shredded plastic is extremely difﬁ cult to extract later in the process. This results in a poor quality and thus a lower grade compost. Residents are advised to continue disposing of diapers in the same way as always, through their regular garbage collection. This ensures Durham Region continues to produce top quality Grade A compost. DURHAM Pre-Owned Ajax Centre BROCK RDWESTNEY RDEASTWEST SALEMBAYLY 401Pre-Owned Vehicle Centre 190 Westney Road South, AJAX Just South of the 401 905.428.1090 Auto Transmission, Power Windows & Locks, Power Sunroof, Alloy Wheels, Dark Blue Ext/Black Int 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240CLASSIC $16,300 +GST, PST & License ONLY 77,212 KMS! “There will be jokes, advice and lots more, so tune in every month for a new episode,” he said in his first segment. And his friends at his school, Gandatseti- agon Public School, are starting to catch on. “They think it’s pretty good,” he said. “Some of my friends have seen all the episodes.” His little brother Carter also does some- thing funny or tells jokes for the segment, Carter’s Corner. The show features reviews on movies, games and books, where he rates it upon ‘smiles’ instead of stars. In the Christmas epi- sode, he listed the top five Christmas movies and ideal gifts for boys and girls. There’s also a Parent Persuasion segment where Alex offers ideas and advice on how to “train” parents. For example, at his home he keeps a “someday list” on his fridge, where he writes down the things his parents say they’ll do “someday” when he makes spe- cial requests, such as going to McDonald’s or playing laser tag. Then on the days where there’s nothing to do, he pulls it out and let’s them know “It’s someday.” In January, he did a special news report on the earthquake in Haiti, and an upcoming episode will feature Mastermind Toys at the Pickering Town Centre. His mother, Maureen Thorne, who films and edits the webisodes, said each six- or seven-minute episode takes a total of about five hours to put together, including filming and editing. “It’s fun to do,” she said. “He enjoys doing it. Considering how much work it seems to be, it’s actually not that bad.” She added it allows Alex to unleash his per- sonality and feels kids really enjoy it. But Alex usually gets his work done in one or two takes, she said. “It’s not so hard,” said Alex. “Even if it is hard, the hardness is very little.” He isn’t a stranger to the camera after all. He’s been in commercials, he’s modeled, and he been in a short film called Hide and Seek and the CBC television show What’s Your News. Alex has his fingers crossed to interview the Barenaked Ladies one day. He hopes to be a scientist or a paleontol- ogist when he grows up, but he’ll keep his options open for television opportunities. He plans to continue filming The Alex Proj- ect for “as long as I’m a kid.” For the pilot, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=du69lUF8zf4. Links to his other episodes will appear on the page. RYAN PFEIFFER / METROLAND PICKERING -- Eight-year-old Alex Thorne “gets to show kids what I think is fun” with his web show ‘The Alex Project’. PICKERING from page 1 TECHNOLOGY Making of webisode ‘fun to do’ for precocious Pickering kid durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 201011 AP Fin d t h e H o m e S e r v i c e P r o f e ssional you need for all your ... ROOFINGROOFING2 Look for this feature every other Thursday. To advertise call Donna McNally at 905-683-5110 ext. 241 3 1 2Dominion Roofi ng BUILDING SUPPLIES WinterHome MakeoversHome Makeovers 4 “Complete Insurance and Financial Solutions” Auto | Property | Commercial Life & Investments | Health & Travel RRSP | RESP | GIC 905 - 427 - 3595 JDInsurance.ca and FINANCIAL SERVICES JD INSURANCE endent Insurance Broker CoversYou Best ™ An Independent Insurance Broker Covers You Best JONES - DOOLEY INSURANCE BROKERS Rates are on the rise Ensure you are getting the best coverage Call for a quick quote. INSURANCE SPECIALISTS 1 KITCHEN RENOVATIONS A great selection of new & used building supplies & accessories all at LOW prices! 85 Chambers Dr., #6 Ajax 905.428.7434 www.habitatdurham.com Donations of used & surplus building supplies gratefully accepted. Tax receipts may be available. Open: Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 6pm; Sat. 10am - 3pm 4 1550 BAYLY ST., #35, PICKERING 905.839.0574 www.aroundthehomekitchens.com • KITCHENS• KITCHENS • VANITIES• VANITIES • WALL UNITS• WALL UNITS 3 DURHAM -- Police have released surveillance pho- tos of three people suspected of going on a spending spree in Durham Region with stolen credit cards. Durham cops are hoping release of the images -- two middle-aged men and one woman believed to be in her 20s who were caught on security cameras in the midst of fraudulent transactions -- will help them make an arrest in the case. An Ajax man told police he had credit cards stolen from his wallet at his North York workplace Dec. 5. The cards were used to make purchases in Pickering and Ajax and points east, police said. The spree ended in Kingston when the cards were cancelled. The suspects are believed to have been driving a 2004 or newer light blue Pontiac Grand Prix four- door. One of the photos released shows a suspect refuel- ling the car at a gas station. If you have information about the investigation: CALL 905-579-1520 ext. 2530 CRIMESTOPPERS: Anonymous tips can be made to Durham police at 1-800-222-8477 CRIME Stolen cards used in Durham spending spree: police PHOTOS COURTESY OF DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE DURHAM -- Photos of three suspects who went on a spend- ing spree with stolen credit cards. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 201019 AP MINDBODYSPIRIT %80/$52(!- 8 % 4QFBLFST %FNPOTUSBUJPOT 'SFF4BNQMFT.PSF 0/&%":4)08 !JAX#ONVENTION#ENTRE 3UNDAY-ARCH 4RADITIONAL!LTERNATIVE (EALTH#ARE &ITNESS "EAUTY (EALTHY%ATING 9OGA -ASSAGE4HERAPY #HIROPRACTIC 0HYSIOTHERAPY &7&/51"35/&34 2%#2%!4)/.#5,452% &OREXHIBITORINFORMATION CALL#ORI !NN(ARNESS EXT durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • February 11, 201020 AP MAKE ONE SMALL MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR ALL YOUR DEBTS! We Speak Your Language %NGLISH 3PANISH &RENCH #HINESE 2USSIAN 0ERSIAN (INDI5RDU 0ORTUGUESE 0OLISH 5KRAINIAN 0UNJABI )TALIAN $ARI 4AMIL !RABIC 6IETNAMESE 3INHALESE WE CAN.... 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